Steve Geller

NBA Draft rumor mill & the Pelicans

by Steve Geller, Steve@wwl.com,posted Jun 27 2013 9:40AM

The big guessing game about which player the Pelicans will draft finally ends when the NBA draft takes place in Brooklyn this evening. The rumor mill of potential draft night trades is really heating up as well, and New Orleans has even been mentioned in a few.

One such rumor stated that the Cleveland Cavaliers contacted the Pelicans about a trade that would send the top overall pick to New Orleans. In exchange, the Cavs are said to be asking for the #6 pick, guard Greivis Vasquez and New Orleans' 1st round pick in 2014. The price is a bit steep since there is not a consensus #1 pick in this year's class, but if Cleveland is willing to lower their asking price to a 2nd rounder in 2014, the Pelicans may bite.

Also swirling on the internet is the rumor that New Orleans is trying to unload Eric Gordon. While the fan base would love to see the oft inured shooting guard shipped out of town, his value is at an all time low, and I highly doubt Pelicans GM Dell Demps can get any real value for him. I could still see Gordon sent packing, but it would be before this season's trade deadline IF he actually suits up and plays.

New Orleans and Dallas have reportedly been talking about a deal that would give the Pelicans a second pick in round one. The Mavericks want to unload Shawn Marion and his contract to free up cap space to make a run at center Dwight Howard. They would send Marion's expiring $9.3 million contract and the 13th overall pick in this year's draft to the Pelicans in exchange for a future draft pick. I'm not crazy about this move AT ALL since this year's draft class is weak and the Pelicans can fill any holes in free agency. They have plenty of cap space available.

And a little off the beaten path is the Charlotte Bobcats who are reportedly shopping last year's 2nd overall draft pick Michael Kid-Gilchrest because they are said to be enamored with Georgetown's Otto Porter. Porter plays the same position, and they feel he will be there when they pick at 4. Let me wipe the drool from my mouth thinking about the possibility of pairing up MKG with Kentucky teammate Anthony Davis in New Orleans. Hopefully, the Pels front office is on the phone trying to hammer out a deal with Charlotte that would fill a gaping need at small forward.